Process of making vegetable extracts.



PATENTED JAN. 28,1908.

J. MEIKLE.

I PROCESS OF MAKING VEGETABLE EXTRAGTS APPLICATION TILED 13150.11. 1906.

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JA ES MDKLE,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES MEIKLE, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

PROCESS OF MAKING VEGETABLE EXTRAGTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Jan. 28, 1908.

Application filed December 11. 1906- Serial No. 347.311-

a certain new and useful Improvement in Processes of Making VegetableExtracts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to lessen the cost of production oftannin and other soluble matters obtained from bark, wood and likevegetable substances, and it consists of a continuous process ofextracting such matters from the bark or like material by drawingthrough it under the influence of a vacuum the exhaust steam or vaporarising from evaporators in which the extracted liquor is concentrated,whereby-fuel is econov mized and the extraction is more rapidlyeffected.

The apparatus employed comprises a series of extractors each of which ispreferably made in the form of a large cylindrical closed vessel havingaperforated division plate on which the bark or like material is placedin the upper compartment while the lower compartment serves as areceptacle for the liquid extract.

The upper compartment is connected to an evaporator or series ofevaporators arranged as a multiple-effect, and the lower compartment isconnected to a number of receivers which are in turn connected to theevaporator, an air pump being interposed to produce the required vacuum.The process of extraction is applicable to the treatment ofothervegetable matters such as sugar cane, beet and the like.

The accompanying drawing illustrates dia grammatically an arrangement ofthe apparatus employed in carrying out the invention.

In the drawing A is the extractor which is of cylindrical formation andis fitted with a removable air tight cover A through which the charge ofbark or other vegetable matteris admitted; a perforated screen, a beingalso provided to distribute the vapor'which is drawn through theextractor. Near the lower end is a perforated division plate A on whichthe material rests, the space or compartment below receiving the liquidextract. From this compartment the liquid flows into one or more of anumber of receivers B through piping B while an air pump not shown isconnected to these vessels B through piping C. The upper compartment .ofthe extractor A is connected by piping D to an evaporator E which inturn is connected by piping F to the receivers B.

In the operation of the apparatus the extractor having been charged andclosed, the air pump is put into operation to create the requisitevacuum and draw the vapor from the evaporator or evaporators through thematerial within the extractor. The liquid collecting under theperforated plate A flows into the receivers B and when one or more arefilled to the desired extent it or they are disconnected from the airpump and an air tap b on the top is opened to admit atmospheric airwhereupon the liquid contained in the receiver is drawn by the vacuuminto the evaporator E, the vapor generated passing off through thepiping D and condensing on the surface of the materials in the extractorAwhereby it absorbs the soluble matter contained in the bark or othermaterial.

' Having now described my invention, what I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is The hereindescribed continuousprocess

